San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh believes his team was robbed in the final minutes of Super Bowl XLVII.The 49ers, down 34-29 to the Baltimore Ravens with 1:46 remaining in the game, needed 5 yards to take the lead for the first time. But Colin Kaepernick's desperate throw on fourth-and-goal sailed over wide receiver Michael Crabtree's head.
The officials determined Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith's contact with Crabtree on the play was incidental, but Harbaugh believed otherwise.
"I really want to handle this with class and grace, and we had several opportunities in this game," said Harbaugh. "We didn't play our best game, and the Ravens made a lot of plays and battled back.
"They competed to win. But there's no question in my mind that there was a pass interference and then a hold on Michael Crabtree on the last one.
“On the second-down play, I thought the defender played through [Crabtree]. Early contact, before the ball got to Michael. And then on fourth down, felt like he was grabbed and held.
“There was no explanation [from the officials].”
Harbaugh was seen on the sideline screaming and displaying a holding call sign as soon as the play ended.
"I realize I'm on the side of the 49ers," he said. "I'm the coach of the 49ers -- there is some bias there. But I wouldn't be bringing it up unless it was obvious. But that's not the way (the refs) saw it. That's the only reason I bring it up."
Crabtree, who recorded five catches for 109 yards and a touchdown, agreed with Harbaugh on the contact.
“At the end of the game, it went like it did," said Crabtree. "There was a lot of contact… It happened like that. It’s frustrating."

You'll
also
receive Yardbarker's daily Top 10, featuring the best sports stories from around the web.
Customize your newsletter to get articles on your favorite sports and teams. And the best part? It's free!